Multiflash device, particularly flashcube, with mechanical striking mechanism

ABSTRACT

The flashcube has a base plate, each corner of which is formed with a projecting stud. A coil spring has several turns wrapped around the stud, one end of the coil spring being bent into a hook-shaped upstanding projection, keeping the second end of the coil spring tensioned so that when the camera&#39;&#39;s release stud lifts the second end over the hook-shaped projection, the release of tension will cause the freed end to snap against the igniter tube of a flashlamp; the location of the springs and the studs being out of the way and not interfering with placement of standard reflectors.

United States Patent [191 Lukas et a1. 5] ,Fune 5, 1973 [54] MULTIFLASH DEVICE, [5 6] References Cited PARTICULARLY FLASHCUBE, WITH UNITED STATES PATENTS MECHANICAL STRIKING 3 584 989 6/1971 B h 431/93 eac MECHANISM 3,537,367 11/1970 Van Duser.. 431/93 X [75] Inventors: Josef Lukas; Dietmar Illig, both of 3,537,805 /1970 Michatek Augsburg Germany 3,567,352 3 1971 Van Duser ...431/93 3,596,581 8/1971 Poweska et a1. ..95/11 L [73] Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur elektrische Gluhlampen mbl-l, Primary Examiner--Richard C. Queisser Munich, Germany Assistant Examiner-Joseph W. Roskos Attorney-Robert D. Flynn, Stephen H. Frishauf [22] Filed. July 6, 1971 and Leonard Holtz [21] Appl. No.: 159,613

[57] ABSTRACT The flashcube has a base plate, each corner of which is formed with a projecting stud. A coil spring has Foreign Appllcatlon y Data several turns wrapped around the stud, one end of the Aug. 5, 1970 Germany ..P 20 38 948.4 being. bent into a hook'shaped uptandlng pl'OJCCtlOl'l, keeping the second end of the c011 sprmg tensioned so that when the cameras release stud lifts the second end over the hook-shaped projection, the [52] U.S. Cl. ..240/1.3, 95/11 L,431/93 release of tension will cause the freed end to Snap [5 against the igniter tube of a flashlamp; the location of [58] Field Of Search ..240/1 .3; R, the Springs and the studs being out of the way and not interfering with placement of standard reflectors.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mama-mm Elm 3.737.643

SHUT 1 (IF 2 Josef Lukas Dietmar lllig INVENTORS MULTIFLASH DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FLASHCUBE, WITH MECHANICAL STRIKING MECHANISM The present invention relates to a multiflash unit and specifically to a flashcube provided with four mechanically ignitable photoflash lamps. Flashcubes comprising mechanically ignitable photoflash lamps are known in the art; their design is similar to that of the flashcubes with electrically ignitable photoflash lamps. A light-transmissive protective cube encloses a quadruple reflector seated on a base plate on which four flashlamps are mounted. To ignite the mechanically ignitable flashlamps, a mechanical striker mechanism is necessary which imparts a lateral blow on the ignition capsule in the tube projecting externally of the lamp.

Various types of striking mechanisms are known in the art. They are based on the principle of an elastic element being held in a tensioned position; the element is released from its tensioned position by a release element protruding from the camera. Ignition of the flashlamp is obtained by the elastic element snapping out of its tensioned position to its rest position while imparting a blow on the percussive ignition capsule. Known striker mechanisms used torsion springs, in the shape of a U-shaped bow. One end portion of the bow is bent to hook-shape and secured to the base plate. The other end portion is designed as a striking arm and is held in stressed condition in vertical direction on the U-shaped clamp. The U-shaped clamps of the torsion springs are secured in the center of the base plate and project in the free space between the four reflectors almost to the cover surface of the protective cube. In the usual reflectors for flashcubes with electrically ignitable photoflash lamps, the space to accommodate four such clamps was too small, and a novel enlarged reflector shape for flashcubes with mechanically ignitable flashlamps was therefore indispcnsible.

In order to lower the costs of the jigs and tools, to increase the profitability of available equipment by manufacturing an increased number of pieces thereon, and to simplify storage, keeping the size and shape of reflectors for flashcubes with electrically ignitable flashlamps similar to that of mechanically ignitable ones would be of great advantage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a striker mechanism for flashcubes with mechanically ignitable flashlamps, which on the one hand enables maintenance of the previous reflector size, and on the other hand can be released by the camera in the same way as the previously known percussive mechanisms; that is, which is compatible with the manufacture of electrically ignitable lamps while being adapted to the mechanical release mechanism of existing cameras.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION A transparent protective cube encloses a quadruple sioned, it holds the second end portion in place. The second end portion forms the striking arm. The springs are located on the base place such that they are placed in the corners which cannot be used for the active reflector surface anyway. The stud is surrounded by a groove corresponding to the outline of the coil spring to accomodate it therein.

An embodiment of the inventive multiflash device will be explained by way of the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flashcube.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a coil spring inserted in the base plate.

FIG. 3 is a part sectional side view of an installed coil spring in accordance with FIG. 2.

The flashcube shown in FIG. 1 has a transparent protective cube 1 which encloses the quadruple reflector 2. Reflector and protective cover cube are seated on the base plate 3 which, for this purpose, is provided with a shoulder 4. The base plate 3 is preferably manufactured as an injection-molded plastic member having four blind-bores 5 to accomodate tubes 7 projecting from the mechanically ignitable flashlamps 6. The tubes 7 contain an ignition capsule which can be ignited by a percussive blow and which causes combustion of zirconium shreds within the lamp bulb which is preferably filled with oxygen. Four apertures 8 in form of partial annular grooves are provided in the base plate. The grooves permit passage of the release stud protruding from the camera. Studs 9 are integrally cast into the corners of the base plate 3. Coil springs 10 are seated on studs 9. The studs are each provided with a bevel to facilitate slipping on of the coil springs. The stud 9 is surrounded at the bottom by a groove 11 of such shape that one end of the spring 10 forming a shank 12 can be accomodated therein. The coil spring has several, e.g., three, turns surrounding the stud 9 of the base plate. The shank 12 of the spring is hookshaped and bent upright at its end forming an upstanding projection 13. The other end of the spring 10 is elongated and forms a striking arm 14. Arm 14 is held in tensioned position, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 by projection 13.

Operation: To effect ignition of the flashlamp, the camera release stud (not shown in the drawings) is extended to protrude through aperture 8; it lifts the striking arm 14 over the projection 13 formed on the shank 12 of the spring. The striking arm 14 snaps from its tensioned position into the rest position shown in FIG. 2 in dotted lines at 14. The release of tension imparts a percussive blow onto the igniter tube 7 of the flashlamp 6 which is in the path of movement of the spring arm 14, thus causing ignition of the flashlamp.

We claim:

1. A multiflash unit comprising a base plate (3);

a multiple reflector (2) seated on the' base plate;

a plurality of mechanically ignitable flashlamps, one

each in front of a reflector, mounted on said base plate, said base plate being formed with one percussion release aperture (8) each for each flashlamp, to permit passage of an ignition release stud therethrough;

and a percussion striking mechanism, one for each lamp, said percussion striking mechanism comprism a plurality of studs (9), one for each flashlamp, each said stud being located in a corner of the base plate (3), and a plurality of coil springs (l),"one each located on a respective stud (9) and surrounding said studwith several turns, each said coil spring having a coil portion, an elongated striker arm (14) extending from the coil portion and movable upon release of tension of the coil spring against the percussion ignition portion of an associated ignitable flashlamp (6), and another end portion (12) extending from the coil portion and bent into hookshape to form a projection (13) retaining the striker arm (14) of the coil spring in tensioned position.

2. Multiflash unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reflector (2) is a quadruple reflector, and the multiflash unit is a flashcube, four ignitable flashlamps are provided, the base plate (3) is square and is formed with four studs (9), one each located in a corner of the square base plate;

and four springs (10) are provided, one each surrounding a stud (9).

3. Multiflash unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the studs (9) and the base plate comprise one integral molded plastic unit.

4. Multiflash unit according to claim 1, wherein a groove (11) is formed in the base plate (3) shaped to receive the other end portion (12) of the coil spring.

5. A multiflash unit comprising a base plate (3);

a multiple reflector 2) seated on the base plate;

a transparent protective cube l) enclosing the multiple reflector;

a plurality of mechanically ignitable flashlamps, one each in front of a reflector, mounted on said base plate, said base plate being formed with one percussion release aperture (8) each for each flashlamp, to permit passage of an ignition release stud therethrough;

and a percussion striking mechanism, one for each lamp, said percussion striking mechanism comprising I a plurality of studs (9), one for each flashlamp, each said stud being located in a corner of the base plate and a plurality of coil springs (10), each having a coil portion, an elongated striker arm portion (14), and an end arm portion (12); the coil portion of each completely encircling a respective stud (9);

the elongated striker arm (14) being movable, upon release of tension of the coil spring, against the percussion ignition portion of an associated ignitable flashlamp (6);

the end arm portion (12) being bent into hook shape (13) to form a projection located in interfering position with respect to the striker arm portion, when the coil spring is under tension, to permit deflection of one of said portions by the camera release mechanism and release said portions from mutually interfering position, and thus release the tensioned striker arm portion (14) to strike the percussion ignition portion of its associated flashlamp.

6. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein a groove (11) is formed in the base plate (3) shaped to receive the end arm portion (12) of the coil spring.

7. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the coil portion of the spring (10) has about three turns.

8. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the hook of the end arm portion (12) forms an upwardly extending projection;

the striker arm portion (14) is located above the end arm portion (12) and in alignment with said percussion release aperture (8) to permit engagement of the striker arm portion by the camera release mechanism and lift said striker arm portion over the hook projection of the end arm portion.

9. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the studs (9) and the base plate comprise one integral molded plastic unit. 

1. A multiflash unit comprising a base plate (3); a multiple reflector (2) seated on the base plate; a plurality of mechanically ignitable flashlamps, one each in front of a reflector, mounted on said base plate, said base plate being formed with one percussion release aperture (8) each for each flashlamp, to permit passage of an ignition release stud therethrough; and a percussion striking mechanism, one for each lamp, said percussion striking mechanism comprising a plurality of studs (9), one for each flashlamp, each said stud being located in a corner oF the base plate (3), and a plurality of coil springs (10), one each located on a respective stud (9) and surrounding said stud with several turns, each said coil spring having a coil portion, an elongated striker arm (14) extending from the coil portion and movable upon release of tension of the coil spring against the percussion ignition portion of an associated ignitable flashlamp (6), and another end portion (12) extending from the coil portion and bent into hook-shape to form a projection (13) retaining the striker arm (14) of the coil spring in tensioned position.
 2. Multiflash unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reflector (2) is a quadruple reflector, and the multiflash unit is a flashcube, four ignitable flashlamps are provided, the base plate (3) is square and is formed with four studs (9), one each located in a corner of the square base plate; and four springs (10) are provided, one each surrounding a stud (9).
 3. Multiflash unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the studs (9) and the base plate comprise one integral molded plastic unit.
 4. Multiflash unit according to claim 1, wherein a groove (11) is formed in the base plate (3) shaped to receive the other end portion (12) of the coil spring.
 5. A multiflash unit comprising a base plate (3); a multiple reflector (2) seated on the base plate; a transparent protective cube (1) enclosing the multiple reflector; a plurality of mechanically ignitable flashlamps, one each in front of a reflector, mounted on said base plate, said base plate being formed with one percussion release aperture (8) each for each flashlamp, to permit passage of an ignition release stud therethrough; and a percussion striking mechanism, one for each lamp, said percussion striking mechanism comprising a plurality of studs (9), one for each flashlamp, each said stud being located in a corner of the base plate (3); and a plurality of coil springs (10), each having a coil portion, an elongated striker arm portion (14), and an end arm portion (12); the coil portion of each completely encircling a respective stud (9); the elongated striker arm (14) being movable, upon release of tension of the coil spring, against the percussion ignition portion of an associated ignitable flashlamp (6); the end arm portion (12) being bent into hook shape (13) to form a projection located in interfering position with respect to the striker arm portion, when the coil spring is under tension, to permit deflection of one of said portions by the camera release mechanism and release said portions from mutually interfering position, and thus release the tensioned striker arm portion (14) to strike the percussion ignition portion of its associated flashlamp.
 6. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein a groove (11) is formed in the base plate (3) shaped to receive the end arm portion (12) of the coil spring.
 7. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the coil portion of the spring (10) has about three turns.
 8. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the hook of the end arm portion (12) forms an upwardly extending projection; the striker arm portion (14) is located above the end arm portion (12) and in alignment with said percussion release aperture (8) to permit engagement of the striker arm portion by the camera release mechanism and lift said striker arm portion over the hook projection of the end arm portion.
 9. Multiflash unit according to claim 5, wherein the studs (9) and the base plate comprise one integral molded plastic unit. 